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2017 Itinerary White Shark / Wildlife / Whale Shark Dive Safari.

3 days cage diving with the Great White Sharks off Dyer Island / Geyser Rock, “The Great White Shark Capital Of The World”.

2 Full days on safari in the Kruger National Park.

3 days / 6 dives on the tropical coral reefs off the coast of Mozambique.

Please remember, this is purely a “suggested itinerary” and we can add / reduce it any way you like, by increasing / decreasing the number of days spend diving or on safari at any of the above locations.

DIVE QUALIFICATION NEEDED

Best time of year: April through November which is peak Great White Season although this itinerary can be done all year round.

Please note, the Great White Sharks as well as The Whale Sharks have not read this timetable and have no idea where they are meant to be and when!

Where in the world, other than in southern Africa can you get to dive with the Great White Sharks, view lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo and then dive with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, all in a 13 day period? This is exactly what this dive safari offers. This is also the perfect get-away for those divers who have a non-diving partner. The thrill of viewing the Great White’s from the deck of the dive boat, the excitement of viewing lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in the wild from an open safari vehicle, and then the sun drenched white beaches of tropical Mozambique. This unique dive safari will entice your non-diving partner to join you on this unbelievable 23 days in Africa. For divers – no enticement required. Just your C card and the desire to experience only what southern Africa can offer.

Please note: The Great White Shark activity takes place on or just below sea level. Full scuba gear is not required for shark cage diving, as the cage is attached to the side of the boat and no diving certification or experience is necessary. Your head and shoulders are above sea level until the dive master gives the call to let you know that the Great Whites are approaching. You then submerge your head and shoulders below sea level for the close sightings of the Great Whites, as they swim towards and past the cage. Snorkel equipment and breath holding are the most popular options selected as the scuba gear sounds are found to be distracting to the extremely sound sensitive Great Whites. When you are not in our 8 man cage, refreshments are enjoyed while viewing the Great Whites and other sea life from the viewing deck.

Day 01

2017:

Arrive Cape Town International Airport, own arrangements. On arrival at Cape Town International you will be met by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 2 hour road transfer to Gansbaai. Rest of the day free. Overnight at Saxon Lodge in a standard room on a bed and breakfast basis. www.saxonlodge.com

Included:

Road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Saxon Lodge

Accommodation at Saxon Lodge.

Excluded:

International / domestic air into Cape Town

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bar

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities

Days 02 - 03

2017:

At a time to be advised the previous evening, you will be collected from Saxon Lodge for the short road transfer to Kleinbaai where, after signing the necessary indemnity forms, dive briefing and a light breakfast you will walk the 100 meters or so to the harbour where you will board the dive boat for 3 hours at sea in the vicinity of Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, cage diving or surface viewing with the Great White Sharks, weather permitting. On return to harbour you will be transferred back to Saxon Lodge where the rest of the day is free. Saxon Lodge is situated in town overlooking Gansbaai Harbour and is in easy walking distance of the shops, bars and restaurants. Overnight at Saxon Lodge on a bed and breakfast basis.

Included:

Breakfast

Return road transfer to/from Kleinbaai Harbour

3 hours at sea with the Great White’s, weather permitting

Services of a local dive master

Full equipment hire

Light snacks and refreshments on board

Accommodation

Excluded:

Lunch, Dinner, Bar

Additional Touring

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities

Day 04

2017:

After breakfast and check out you will be collected from Saxon Lodge for your last “date” with the Great Whites, weather permitting. After the dive a representative of Dive The Big 5 will transfer you to Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa which is situated in the suburb of Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. Overnight at Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 05

2017:

After breakfast, at a time to be advised, you will be collected from Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the short road transfer to Cape Town International Airport in time to connect with your 2 hour domestic flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Mpumalanga, own arrangements.

On arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport at a time to be advised, you will be met by Dive The Big 5 for the 2.5 hour road transfer to Rhino Post Safari Lodge which is situated on a 12 000 hectare, private concession, in the world famous Kruger National Park.

Rhino Post Lodge consists of 12 luxury chalets. Whilst staying at Rhino Post Lodge all your game viewing is done from "open" safari Land Rovers, with two safaris / game drives daily. An early morning game drive, which sets off just after sunrise, and returns to camp at about 09h00 for breakfast, and the afternoon/evening safari /game drive, which departs camp at about 16h00. Depending on animal activity, you will return to camp from the afternoon/evening safari / game drive at about 20h00 for dinner.

Depending on your arrival time into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit (MQP), and taking into account the 2.5 hour road transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit to the Lodge, you may have to forego the afternoon / evening safari / game drive as this departs Rhino Post at 15h30. If your timing gets you to Rhino Post in time to join the afternoon / evening safari, at sunset, you will stop somewhere in the African bush for G&T’s and sundowners, and watch the African sun drop below the horizon. You will then continue with the safari / game drive, looking for the nocturnal animals, lion, leopard, Hyena, bush baby, civet, serval, honey badger, porcupine etc with the aid of a powerful spot lamp. Depending on animal activity you will return to camp at about 19h30 for dinner, which is served in the 'boma" alongside a roaring wood fire under the African stars, weather permitting. Overnight at Rhino Post on a fully inclusive basis. (All meals and game activities).

Day 06 - 07

2017:

2 Full days spent on safari at Rhino Post. You will receive a phone call from reception, about 45 minutes before the safari / game drive is due to depart from the lodge, as your wake-up call. Coffee, tea, juice, rusks, muffins etc. will be served in the public area before you set off for your early morning safari / game drive in "open" 4x4, safari vehicles in the Kruger National Park. You will return to camp at around 09h00, depending on game activity, for brunch. The rest of the day is free to bird watch around camp, sit on your deck with a book, sit by the bar overlooking the water hole, or to relax by the pool until high tea which is served on the deck before departing on the afternoon / evening game drive / safari. Overnight at Rhino Post on a fully inclusive basis.

Included:

Early morning tea, coffee, juice, rusks, muffins

Brunch

Morning and afternoon game drives / safaris

High tea

Dinner

Accommodation

Excluded:

Bar

Gratuities

Items of a personal nature

Day 08

2017:

After the early morning game drive and breakfast you will be collected from Rhino Post Safari Lodge by Dive The Big 5 and transferred back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit where you will connect with the 1 hour domestic flight back to OR Tambo International Airport - Johannesburg, own arrangements.

On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg you will walk the short distance to the City Lodge which is situated within the airport complex. Overnight at the City Lodge O.R. Tambo International Airport on a bed and breakfast basis.

www.citylodge.co.za and click on the City Lodge, O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.

Domestic air from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit to OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities

Day 09

2017:

After breakfast, you will check out of City Lodge OR Tambo and walk the short distance to OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg where you will check in for the 2 hour international flight to Inhambane International Airport, Mozambique. On arrival at Inhambane Airport, own arrangements, you will be met by Barra Beach Club for the short road transfer to the resort. Rest of the day free. Overnight at Barra Beach Club in a deluxe lodge room on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

International air from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg to Inhambane

Departure and arrival taxes

Mozambique visa which must be obtained in advance from the Mozambique Embassy in your home country before you leave home

Lunch, Bar

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities

Day 10 - 12

2017:

At a time to be advised you will report to the dive centre, which is at Barra Reef Divers, to kit up for the first dive of the day. All dives in Mozambique are done as early in the morning as possible, as this is when the diving conditions are at their best. No wind, flat and calm seas. As the day progresses the wind tends to pick-up, whipping the sea and forming "white horses" making it very choppy and dangerous for diving. The first dive of the day is usually scheduled for one of the far reefs, between 15 and 25 km's from the launch site. After the first dive you will return to the lodge for your surface interval time and breakfast before going out for the second dive of the day. The second dive of the day is scheduled for one of the closer "house" reefs. Please don't expect to do more than two dives a day when diving anywhere in Mozambique. Also, remember that you are thousands of kilometres from the nearest medical facility and recompression chamber with the result that all dive operators in Mozambique do not allow, "pushing the limits" and prefer to err on the side of caution, so as to minimise the possibility of any dive accidents.

If it is Whale Sharks you’ve specifically come to Mozambique to see, the best way to encounter Whale Sharks is to trawl the back-line, just beyond the breakers, and look for the tell-tail tail fin of this massive beast. But because Whale Sharks are so plentiful in these waters you are likely to encounter these animals on your way to and from the reef. When you do spot a Whale Shark, the skipper will drop you off in front of the animal allowing it to swim up to you. The best way to "dive" with Whale Sharks is on snorkel as the exhaust bubbles from your regulator, if on scuba, often frightens the animals away. After the animal has passed you by, you will climb back into the boat and the skipper will move off to position you in the path of the on-coming Whale Shark, allowing it to swim past you again. This could carry on ad infinitum till either you or the Whale Shark tire first. Day free after the second dive. Overnight at Barra Beach Club on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Included:

Breakfast

Full equipment hire

Services of a local dive master

2 x “house” dives

Dinner

Accommodation

Excluded:

Additional dives

Far dive surcharges

Lunch, Bar

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities

Day 13

2017:

After breakfast you will have the morning free before you transfer back to Inhambane Airport to connect with your return flight to OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg, own arrangements. On arrival at Johannesburg International you will walk the short distance from the domestic arrivals hall to the international departures hall to connect with your return flight home. End of services.

Included:

Breakfast

Road transfer from Barra Beach Club back to Inhambane Airport

Excluded:

Departure Tax

International air from Inhambane Airport – Mozambique to OR Tambo International Airport - Johannesburg

Non-diver cost based on two people sharing, diver with a non-diver

Cost based on singe diver

Cancellation policy:

Full refund in the event of the dive being cancelled due to bad weather.

Should we launch the boat for the dive and during the course of the dive the skipper decides to return to shore due to unfavourable weather conditions, there will be no refund.

The skipper’s decision is final and is based purely on your safety and comfort.

Other “bits & pieces” of interest:

The Great White Shark cage is an 8-man / woman / person, cage, subject to change, and groups of divers spend roughly 20 minutes in the cage during their 1st “dive” session, thereafter they take it in turns for subsequent turns in the cage. Exact times spent in the cage differ from day to day, depending on the number of divers on the boat, and obviously shark activity. No point being in the cage when there are no sharks about! The number of divers, surface viewers is limited to 22, excluding researchers and crew, which allows each diver more cage time and a personalised on-board experience. The boat is licensed to carry 30 people maximum. When you are not in the cage, on-board refreshments can be enjoyed whilst viewing the Great Whites and other sea-life from the upper sun-deck.

When diving anywhere in South Africa or Mozambique, please don’t expect to do more than 2 dives a day. By noon, along the entire east coast of southern Africa the wind tends to pick up quite a bit, causing white caps on the ocean and making diving conditions difficult and even dangerous. As all dives are drift dives, it’s very difficult for the skipper of the Rubber Duck to spot the buoy in rough conditions and even more difficult to spot individual divers as they surface after their dive. The first dive of the day is usually scheduled for sunrise with the second dive of the day being scheduled after surface interval time and breakfast, at about 10h30. By noon, when the wind has picked up, all dives for the day have been completed. If by chance there is no wind, then a 3rd or even 4th dive might be possible, but this is very unlikely. The wind tends to drop by about 17h00, and if it does, then there is the possibility of a night dive. But this can only be confirmed on the day, at about mid-afternoon.

Remember when diving anywhere off the coast of Mozambique you are thousands of kilometres from the nearest medical facility and recompression chamber with the result that all dive operators in Mozambique do not allow "pushing the limits" and prefer to err on the side of caution, so as to minimise the possibility of any dive accidents. There is no technical diving or deep de-co diving in Mozambique.

Please note: The Kruger National Park falls within a “low risk” Malaria area, and we strongly suggest that you consult your doctor about which is the best prophylactic to use to prevent contracting this disease.